MERC ER01-14
3
4. Summary of Test Protocols, Sampling Design, Hydraulics Testing
4.1. Test Protocols
This report presents the results for the MERC performance evaluation of the Filtrex ACB
filter system. Details on program policies and testing approaches/methodologies can be found in
the MERC Quality Management Plan (QMP), Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) and
various Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) available upon request.
4.1.1. Commissioning
Prior to any formal testing, at least one mechanical commissioning run of each Filtrex
system was provided to assure appropriate treatment operations (FXIT-[µm]-COMM). This run
identified and corrected initial mechanical or operating issues. During the commissioning
process, feed pump capacity was adjusted to the requested flow rate, the outlet throttling valve
was adjusted, back wash delta pressure set point was determined; plus, the Filtrex instantaneous
and accumulated data logging system was tested. Data collected during the commissioning was
used for test preparations and is not provided in this final report.
After each treatment system commissioning was completed and accepted by Filtrex,
MERC conducted biological efficacy trials on the MERC Mobile Test Platform (MTP) located in
the Baltimore Harbor, MD.
4.1.2. Biological Efficacy Trials
MERC conducted a total of seven biological efficacy trials focused exclusively on live
organisms ≥ 50
µ
m and ≥ 10 to < 50
µ
m in size. (See descriptions below and in MERC QAPP
and SOPs). Each test was conducted using one track of the MERC barge piping system set in the
sea-to-sea configuration. The paired tests included one trial of filter efficacy using natural
ambient Baltimore Harbor water (FXIT-[µm]-NTL) and a second trial using augmented natural
water to increase total suspended solids (TSS) and particulate organic carbon (POC) to ETV
concentrations (FXIT- [µm]-AUG). Filtrex selected the flow rates (m
3
/hr) and selected to use the
flow meter located just prior to the Filtrex system. Filtrex also chose the backpressures (psi/bar)
that the MERC system provided to the Filtrex system.
4.2. Sampling Design Overview
Statistically-validated (Miller et al., 2011), continuous, time-integrated samples were
collected through sample ports located on the system pipes just prior to entry into the Filtrex
filtration system and just after exit from the Filtrex filtration system. All sample ports include a
valve and sample tube with a 90
o
bend towards the direction of flow, placed in the center of the
piping system (based on the design developed and validated by the US Naval Research
Laboratory, Key West Florida; see ETV protocols). Summaries of the physical, chemical, and
biological analyses for each sample are described below. Analyses details are found in the
MERC SOPs.
Water for biological examination was split for sampling the ≥ 50µm size fraction
(nominally zooplankton), ≥10 to <50 µm size fraction (nominally phytoplankton) and water
quality analyses, including total suspended solids (TSS), particulate organic carbon (POC) and
